California Governor Gavin Newsom’s coms-clowns are hyperventilating over a “live fire” exercise at Camp Pendleton, California. They made a big deal over it, falsely claiming that it was some sort of act of intimidation – apparently because it was taking place on the same day (Saturday, October 18th) as disaffected hippies, out-of-work actors, and paid agitators are marching for “No Kings.” You be the judge.
Using our military to intimidate people you disagree with politically doesn’t make you look strong.
— Governor Gavin Newsom (@CAgovernor) October 18, 2025
It makes you look weak.
It's reckless, it's disrespectful, and yet another action beneath the office of the presidency.
Then on Saturday morning, the governor ordered the road closed after experts advised it.
Earlier this week, the White House denied the freeway near Camp Pendleton would need to be closed due to live munitions being fired over the freeway. But today, despite the WH’s claims and lack of transparency, California traffic and public safety experts have recommended… https://t.co/bEEnZLzWrs
— Governor Newsom Press Office (@GovPressOffice) October 18, 2025
But today, despite the WH’s claims and lack of transparency, California traffic and public safety experts have recommended temporarily closing the freeway to best protect the public.
And now the White House is being fact-checked by Grok, the latest Pentagon approved AI tool.
Today's narrative is one of many false narratives that Newsom’s team posts daily which. unfortunately, are taken to heart by his followers. This is another Chicken Little moment – a false alarm to scare the “scareable.”
If you are unfamiliar with the Marine Corps’ Camp Pendleton, it is a sprawling military base with property on both sides of Interstate 5. Ninety-five percent of the camp is on the east side of the highway. On the west side is the Pacific Ocean and the beach. On the East side is the main camp and its surrounding hillsides. My dad and brother both “attended” boot camp at Pendleton during wartime. I’ve traveled down and up the I-5 many times. I’ve watched amphibious landings and heard the “pop” of artillery while driving. Marines train for war. For those of us who aren’t afraid of our own shadows, it’s a fun, 15-minute distraction if Marines are training.
The New York Times published an article dated October 18, 2025, that Newsom’s comms team read the day before. In part, the article states:
To prepare for Saturday’s event, artillery rounds from M777 howitzers were fired from Red Beach east over Interstate 5 on Friday evening as a test run, said Capt. Gregory Dreibelbis, a spokesman for the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, which is based at Camp Pendleton. Vehicular traffic along the interstate was not closed off while the artillery guns were firing, he said in a statement.
“M777 artillery pieces have historically been fired during routine training from land-based artillery firing points west of I-5 into impact areas east of the interstate within existing safety protocols and without the need to close the route,” Capt. Dreibelbis said. He called the test firings an “established and safe practice” as a rehearsal for Saturday’s event.
The shells fired by M777 howitzers, which are about six inches in diameter and two feet long, typically weigh about 90 pounds and can be fired at targets more than 15 miles away.
Marine officials did not disclose whether the shells fired Friday were high-explosive rounds, or inert practice projectiles often used for military training.
The Federal Aviation Administration has issued what it calls notices to airmen during the vice president’s visit, closing some of the airspace near Camp Pendleton while he is expected to be there. Amtrak, which runs the Pacific Surfliner train near the stretch of interstate in question, has canceled rail service in the area from noon to 3 p.m. Pacific time on Saturday.
When Marines fire over the road, they position safety officers to alert the fire team when it is safe to fire. No one on the freeway is in danger.
You will note that Newsom didn’t link the article in the X post. Best to just set everyone's hair on fire. But, in fact, these live fire exercises have been going on for years without complaint from the state’s governor. Saturday's exercises are more involved, but aren't much different than what the Marines have done for years. However, Newsom’s comms-clowns would rather suggest that this exercise is some sort of intimidation lesson, designed to scare the “No Kings” crowd?
Once again, Newsom and his team are lying by innuendo for political capital.
Deputy Assistant Secretary Dept of Labor Veterans' Employment & Training Service, Jessie Jane Duff, who is a Marine, responded to Newsom's nonsense over the Marines' 250th birthday bash on X.
Shutting down the freeway for the Marine Corps 250th Birthday Celebration going on Camp Pendleton is not the win you think it is @GavinNewsom
— Gunnery Sergeant Jessie Jane Duff (@JessieJaneDuff) October 18, 2025
We Marines and all veterans will remember your attempt stop OUR celebration for defending this great nation.
You are NOT our king. https://t.co/z1cceyXLrO
And, allow me to end with two points. The New Times article apparently needed three writers. Three. And of those three not one of them knew much about Camp Pendleton or the Marines. How do I know? Because an early version (the one sent to Newsom on Friday) mentioned Basilone Road (named after famed World War II Medal of Honor Hero John Basilone), calling it “Baseline Road.” It's kind of hard to miss.
The portion of Interstate 5 that goes by Camp Pendleton, and one of the access roads to the base, are named for Sgt. Basilone. pic.twitter.com/vBl4dzP9br
— ralphsmotorbike (@ralphsmotorbike) February 19, 2020
Sure, it was a “small mistake.” A correction was made at the end of the New York Times story, but it bothered me. John Basilone earned his Medal of Honor on Guadalcanal. He was then assigned to a War Bonds tour. He hated the duty and begged to get back to his fellow Devil Dogs. The Marine Corps honored his request. He died on Iwo Jima.
Every time I pass the Basilone Road sign, I think of Sgt Basilone. Apparently, three writers and not one editor with the New York Times could be bothered to know that that road was named for a Marine hero – kind of like no one in Newsom’s comms office can be bothered with facts.
Editor’s Note: The Schumer Shutdown is here. Rather than put the American people first, Chuck Schumer and the radical Democrats forced a government shutdown for healthcare for illegals. They own this.
Help us continue to report the truth about the Schumer Shutdown. Use promo code POTUS47 to get 74% off your VIP membership.
Join the conversation as a VIP Member